| | | | | | Legislative developments and policy trends from across the states to keep you ahead of the curve. | | | | | | | |
Please note: FOCUS will not publish TWIF next week, as many legislators will be attending the NCSL annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois. We will be there as well! If you plan to attend, please stop by the FOCUS booth, #4526. The next TWIF will be published on Monday, August 3. The database will continue to be updated daily.
| | | | | | | | | | Current Legislative Landscape | | 3 states and The U.S. Congress are currently in regular session. | |
The following states are in recess until the dates provided: North Carolina (July 27), California (August 3), Puerto Rico (August 17), District of Columbia (September 16) and Pennsylvania (September 28). Ohio is in recess until November 9, though the Senate does have some if-needed dates scheduled for September and October.
| | | | | | We are closely monitoring all legislative session activity to provide you with the most up-to-date information. (Got an on-the-ground tip on sessions? Email us!) | | | | | | | | Upcoming Governor Signing Deadlines - Alaska (Dunleavy) - 20 days from presentment, Sunday excepted
- Arizona (Hobbs) and New York (Hochul) - 10 days from presentment, Sundays excepted
- Florida (DeSantis) - 15 days from presentment
- Illinois (Pritzker) - 60 days
- Louisiana (Landry) - 20 days from presentment
- Maryland (Moore) - 30 days from presentment
- New Hampshire (Ayotte), South Carolina (McMaster) and Vermont (Scott) - five days, Sundays excepted
- Rhode Island (McKee) - six days from presentment
- Wisconsin (Evers) - six days from presentment, Sundays excepted
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Massachusetts and North Carolina are expected to adjourn their 2026 legislative session on July 31. | | |
Special Sessions
Mississippi lawmakers convened for a special session July 15-16 at the request of Republican Gov. Tate Reeves. Lawmakers adjourned the special session after passing legislation to overhaul the state’s youth court system and approving related funding measures. [WAPT]
Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy will call legislators back for a third special session on the issue of taxing the Alaska LNG pipeline project; this is the fourth special session of the biennium. During the recent special session the tax bill passed the Senate but failed its House vote after Governor Dunleavy said he would veto it. The upcoming special session is scheduled to convene on July 27. [Alaska Public Media] Maryland is scheduled to convene a special legislative session August 3-5. Lawmakers are expected to address potential changes to the state’s congressional map. [Maryland Matters] | | | Interim Activity
Interim committees and study postings are underway in: *Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, *Delaware, Georgia, *Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, *Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
*Added since the last newsletter. | | | | | | |
The following seats are scheduled to be filled by special election on the dates provided: Arkansas House District 44 (August 4) and Pennsylvania House District 12 (August 18).
| | | Posting Bill Drafts for 2027 | |
Arkansas, Iowa, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Utah are posting bill drafts for 2027.
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Alaska Governor calls new special session after Alaska LNG tax break bill included corporate income tax expansion. [Anchorage Daily News] | |
New York Local GOP state lawmakers say energy policy working against businesses. [WXXI News]
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Iowa Property tax relief legislation in Iowa is worth celebrating. [The Gazette]
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Wisconsin As Democrats aim to retake the Wisconsin Legislature, here are the races we're watching in the August 11 primary. [Wisconsin Watch] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Following the enactment of HR 1/Public Law 119-21 in July 2025, which included Medicaid funding cuts, Democratic-led states have renewed interest in requiring large employers to help fund state health care programs through taxes or employer assessments. Often referred to as “fair share” legislation, similar proposals gained attention in the 2000s but saw limited success. According to The Hill, at least 30 states considered such legislation in 2006.
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New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul issued Executive Order No. 62, creating the nation’s first statewide, one-year moratorium on new hyperscale data centers while the state develops rules addressing impacts on the electric grid, water resources, the environment and local communities.
The order pauses new environmental permits for qualifying projects and directs agencies to establish standards for future development. Although temporary, the moratorium reflects increased state attention to the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and could influence other states, with lawmakers in more than a dozen states already considering similar restrictions or additional oversight of large-scale data centers.
| | | | | | | | | | FOCUS: Trusted Experts in State Government Affairs | | | | Since 2003, FOCUS has provided tailored, results-driven government affairs solutions for our clients. We offer best-in-class legislative and regulatory tracking to keep you informed and ahead of the curve. Our full-service platform delivers real-time, comprehensive coverage across all 50 states, D.C., Congress, local jurisdictions, and key state and federal agencies. With filtered databases, customized alerts, expert analysis, an intuitive dashboard, and outstanding support, our team equips you with the tools and intelligence needed to navigate policy developments with confidence and clarity. | | | | | | |
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Unparalleled Customer Service | Direct, ongoing access to your lead analyst, unlimited training and support, and concierge-level client care. We pride ourselves on serving as an extension of your staff. | | | | Access The Advocacy Group (TAG) — the premier 50-state and global lobbying network — at no cost. No middlemen. No referral fees. Just direct access to the best of the best. The TAG network includes 60+ top-tier, independent firms — one in every state, country, and specialty. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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